Animals with handicaps face a more challenging situation than their human counterparts who often have a wide network of support from friends, family and various charities and government agencies. What little financial and medical aid that is available can be spread so thin that most receive no help at all. The vision-impaired are particularly hard hit as corrective surgery, if possible, can cost many thousands of dollars. The perception of blind animals being poor pets that require significant assistance often results in their placement at the top of shelter kill lists. Yet, the vision-impaired or blind animal can be a good pet and with a little human assistance, they can lead a fairly normal life.